Emergency brake adjustment, logistics - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fantom71 · #1 01-28-2006, 04:11 PM

Hi there,

I need to adjust the emergency brake on my 85 W124 300D. I have searched and saw that it can be adjusted by removing a lug on right side rear wheel and turn the star shaped adjuster. Should this be done with the emergency brake on or off? I am very weary of jacking up my car with the brake off (it is a 5 speed manual). I do have wheel chocks which will be in place on the front wheels, but is that enough to do this (otherwise) simple job?

Ethan · #2 01-29-2006, 08:20 AM

i see no one has answered over the past two days, so I'll add what I know.
I never tried adjusting it with the emergency brake applied, so am not sure if the mechanisim will tighten up, but I would think that it would loosen with it applied - but just a guess.

The star adjuster moves in opposite direction for the left and right wheels, I don't recall which way for each. Usually I back off the friction then tighten up and at the same time rotate the wheel/tire until it binds then backoff till it is free.

A LED or flourescent light source (flashlight,workshop light) can illuminate inside the lug hole to see the star adjuster. I've never been able to illuminate it with an incandescent light - figure that one.

I wouldn't like lifting a car in neutral with the rear wheels up. And don't advise it - too dangerous. But when I DID -stupidly enough- I placed a spare tire under the sill between the wheelbase, and chocked front/back of both front tires, and found that a rubber mallet, wedging the rubber head in there acted well as one of the four chocks. I also used a floor jack ( with a rubber pad so not to scratch the diff ) placed under the rear diff just slightly lifting upward on the rear drive unit.

But in the end rent a bay or have someone place the car on a lift to adjust it, and at the same time take the tires off and inspect stuff.

Ali Al-Chalabi · #3 01-29-2006, 12:10 PM

Just use a quality floor jack on level ground and chock the front wheels. Of course, make sure it is positioned properly and you never get any part of yourself underneath the car while it is supported by the floor jack.